NRL: A Lowe-down on passion

Des Hasler is an animated sideline figure. Photo / Getty Images

As the Warriors prepare to face Manly today in the NRL, they will be under no illusion the visitors might be lacking in passion.

Coach Des Hasler ably demonstrated that a couple of weeks back when his side had given away its second substantial lead in as many weeks - 20-0 up over Parramatta two minutes into the second half - they folded 24-20 with four unanswered tries in the last 30 minutes.

The YouTube audio is silent, but the picture of Hasler ranting before unintentionally yanking a door off its hinges as he stormed out of the dressing room speaks volumes.

Hasler is a proud man with an enviable coaching record since taking over a struggling club in 2004.

Manly has been in the playoffs every subsequent year, including the resounding 40-0 grand final win over Melbourne in 2008.

What is more, Hasler has done it at a club which has regularly suffered in-fighting at board level.

That is where Graham Lowe comes in. As a former coach of Hasler at the club from 1990-92, Lowe knows the rigours that go with trying to keep a football side winning.

The 63-year-old has been trying to translate that back to the board in his role over the past three months as chief executive.

"I don't know if it helps, but I certainly understand what he goes through," Lowe says. "Particularly the heartache he's had to endure in the first couple of games, when we've let them slip away.

"The key for me is that Dessie is a terrific coach. He's at a level [with his knowledge and skill] that coaches from my era couldn't imagine."

That is something backed up by Warriors centre Brent Tate, who says his side is well aware of the unity Hasler can create with his approach.

"They are unlucky not to be three from three, having been in positions to win. But who can complain about his passion? Geez, would you want him in there laughing and joking? I think it's great. He wears his heart on his sleeve and it clearly means something to him."

Lowe says rather than offer advice, he keeps his nose right out of coaching.

His focus since he started, albeit after another well-documented health scare, is more about the overall state of club operations.

"I'm in a position, for one of the first times in my life, as a fan. I go along to the footy wearing the same clothes as everyone else, but look at it in a totally different way. When you see someone playing well, you think 'hmmm, that guy should add a few more sales to the merchandising arm'."

Lowe says that Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah also played a part making him feel comfortable about taking the job:

"Wayne was a great help. I went to have a chat to him about what to expect and he said it's going to be tougher than you think - and he's dead right. I now have a better understanding of what other CEOs are going through when I see them in the news."

Part of Lowe's strategy is to rebuild the Kiwi fan base that followed the team when he took over as coach back in 1990. Apart from today's game, that's another reason for popping back across the Tasman this weekend.

"I'm checking some sponsorship opportunities. I think there's still a lot of support, even within the Warriors area. Back in those days [pre-1995] when the Warriors weren't there, so many fans adopted Manly as their own. I still think there's a chance to do it again.

"We've also got a strong Kiwi flavour at the club if you look at the past and the present players [Kieran Foran, Steve Matai, Joe Galuvao and Dean Whare].

"Kiwi players have always been quite influential at the club and with test matches coming up, the likes of Kieran [Foran] must brighten up the Kiwis selectors' eyes."

However, having observed the Warriors' demolition of Brisbane last week, Lowe realises the fan-base will be harder to tap if they regularly reproduce such form.

"You can see it coming. They were devastating, but sometimes it takes a while to get the momentum. However, I think people have done things right on and off the field at the club recently and it's put them on the front foot."